Russian 22-year-old Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova may have had a disappointing Wimbledon Championships, losing 6-0, 6-1 to Tsvetana Pironkova in the first round, but the world No 25 will be hopeful of doing better at next month's US Open after reaching the quarter-finals at Flushing Meadows in 2011.

What’s the best match you’ve ever played?

The first one I think was against Francesca Schiavone in the quarter-finals at Roland Garros in 2011. I lost the match, but no matter the result it was just an unbelievable atmosphere.

It was my first quarter-final of a Grand Slam, I was 6-1 4-1 up, playing unbelievable, and then she turned it around and won the second set 7-5. Then she was 5-1 up in the third, and I came back to 5 all, but she won 7-5 in the end. It was just a great experience.

Top performer: Pavlyuchenkova has reached two Grand Slam quarter-finals

What would be the worst?

That would be the worst as well! No, the worst was probably at the Tournament of Champions in Bali in 2010. I was 19 and I had qualified for the event by winning my first WTA title at Monterrey earlier in the year. It was a night session against Ana Ivanovic in the first round match. I lost 6-0, 6-1 and I just literally could not put the ball in.

I was a little bit nervous, yes, but I just don’t know why I wasn’t there at all mentally or physically. And although I was preparing, you know a lot of girls were on the beach (laughing), and I was the only one preparing for that one. And everyone came, and it was such a big match, and I just won one game. I just felt, really, really bad after that match.

Steffi Graf. Because she was great, she was one of the best of the best, she achieved a lot. I would challenge myself, it would be a challenge for me to go back and play against her. Although I have already practiced with her, in Las Vegas, I think it would be fun to play a real match!

What’s your comfort food or guilty pleasure after you lose a match?

It would be anything sweet, because I try to avoid sweets and try to stay healthy, but then when I lose I just want to go wild and go against the rules and eat something sweet that I cannot normally eat!

And it depends where you are – for example in Paris I would probably go to Hagen Daaz and eat all the ice-cream or waffles or something like this. Or it could be just a chocolate!

German great: Pavlyuchenkova would have liked to play a match against former world No 1 Graf

Who was your idol growing up?

I honestly didn’t have any idols when I was growing up, because I was told that everyone was individual and I had to be myself, that I was growing up to be someone special myself. And still now I’m following this.

Of course I respect a lot of legends like Steffi Graf and Martina Hingis, but there wasn’t someone that I wanted to be. I liked Anna Kournikova also, probably because she was pretty, and Russian!

What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever been sent by a fan?

Nothing strange, only nice things so far. In Stuttgart, someone sent me chocolate and a nice toy – that was really sweet and cute! But somebody just asked me if I would marry him. That was funny as well, but a bit strange!

Popular players: Hingis (left) and Kournikova were admired by Pavlyuchenkova

What’s your favorite song to dance to?

It was Tonight, Pitbull and Neyo. But now, Justin Bieber and Will.i.am The Power.

What strange thing is regularly in your suitcase as you travel around?

I don’t think there is anything really strange. I just carry a lot of unnecessary stuff! For example, when it comes to clothes… all the little things in the bottom of my bag, clothes and socks, whatever, I just never take out! And then I just put more things on top, and I just keep on travelling like this.

This is kind of strange behaviour, because I feel like every time I think about it each thing and I know I don’t use it, but I am just lazy and just keep it there! So my suitcase is getting heavier and heavier, and there’s not much space, because I always feel like I need things but I don’t need them at the same time. I also always travel with photos from photo booths of my friends and family.

Ace track: Pavlyuchenkova is a fan of Bieber's track with Will.i.am

What would your last meal on earth be?

It would be sashimi or just salmon – I love salmon and fish – so seafood for sure. And then chocolate fondant.

What’s the one object you couldn’t live without?

Sorry, this isn’t a very original answer, but I’m going to say my phone!

What’s the strangest or funniest question you’ve been asked in press?

When somebody asked me about relationships between other players and other coaches, I thought this was strange, because it’s none of my business. Why would you ask me this about other players?

Under the spotlight: Pavlyuchenkova will compete in the US Open in New York